(Courtesy of Biale Rebbe’s Office) Teaneck residents are getting excited. The Rebbe is coming again. Hardly a year has passed since the Biale Rebbe of Bnei Brak visited Teaneck, yet hundreds are excitedly anticipating the return of their revered Rebbe.
Although the Rebbe has been visiting annually for some years now, every year the sensation repeats itself. Every year when the Rebbe arrives at the house where he lodges, the place becomes a public source of attraction as hundreds of people of various standards and types gather. The street becomes a hive of activity as lawyers, doctors, lay leaders, rabbis and educators ranging from Chasidic to Modern Orthodox mingle as they flock to the Rebbe’s house. From early morning until the small hours of the night the streets resound with miraculous tales of unnatural miracles seen and experienced firsthand as a result of the Rebbe’s blessing.
Everyone wants to understand: What is it that draws so many people to see the Biale Rebbe again and again? What is it that causes thousands of people from different backgrounds to seek the Rebbe? What is it that brings people with no semblance to Chasidim to cleave to the Rebbe with all their might, involving him in every move they take in life? At every occasion, be it happy or sad, their first phone call is to include the Rebbe! What is it that unites young boys and elderly? What brings the famous ambassador of the United States, David Friedman, to visit the Rebbe? Many other prominent rabbis and highly significant political figures from the American and Israeli government can be recognized among the Rebbe’s visitors anywhere between California, Florida, New York and New Jersey.
Your chasan is waiting for you, go buy a watch and a tallit.
The time in Israel is 5:00 a.m. when Rav Friedman, the Rebbe’s gabbai, phone rings. Harav Friedman recognizes the American number and answers immediately. “Mazal tov,” he hears the voice from across the Atlantic call. The excited parents of the 27 year old girl who just became engaged have called to share their news immediately with the Biale Rebbe.
“We have known the Biale Rebbe for many years. Our entire family is extremely close to the Rebbe and at every family occasion the amazing miracles as a result of the Rebbe’s blessings are retold. Last year when the Rebbe visited New York I decided that the time had come for me to ask the Rebbe for a blessing for my daughter. My daughter is a talented, excelling girl who has been in shidduchim for several years but as day follows day and week passes week, she has yet to find her destined. As the years passed on, we decided to seek the Rebbe’s blessing, I arrived with my wife and daughter to the Rebbe. The Rebbe reads our names and says: “Your chassan is waiting for you. You are to go immediately and buy a gold watch and a tallit for your chassan and soon you will call me with good tidings.” Of course, we immediately purchased the gold watch and the tallit and here we are, a mere four months later, happy and delighted.”
A community whose youth are dwindling.
During the time the pandemic was raging it caused several changes to the Rebbe’s travelling agenda. The Rebbe was traveling to the North of New York and was invited to spend a Shabbat in a new developing community which he had never visited before. The Shabbat meals were held outdoors in the skylight and the songs were sung behind masked faces. The community members, who were honored to have the Rebbe in their midst, filed in one after the other to receive his holy blessing. And …. within a short period, mazal tov! The son of the gabbai of the shul gets engaged. Two weeks later the son of the president of the community gets engaged! Mazal tov! The gabbai’s daughter also announces her engagement and so does the son of the Rebbe’s hosts! Less than 12 months after the Rebbe’s visit with the community and close to 10 members of the small community have found their destined match! The following year the Rebbe is officially invited to visit the community; this time the tisch was held in the synagogue’s hall. People came from far and near to receive the Rebbe’s blessing, including the delighted brides and grooms as well as those who were still waiting. All wanted a blessing from the Rebbe whose blessings are fulfilled.
The court case was annulled.
Antisemitism is as ancient as the world itself. For thousands of years, it has reared its ugly head. Our acquaintance, an honorable Jew who manages an honorable business, came face to face with it. One day, without prior notice, the police barged into his house and searched his home. He was handcuffed and taken in for a tough interrogation where he was accused of illegal dealings. The Jew denied everything but the police insisted they had proof of the illegal deeds.
He alerted his lawyers and found that a former employee who was involved in crime and was serving time decided to save his skin and have his term shortened by informing on his former employer. He was his witness in court. After investigating the case the lawyers informed our friend that the situation looked grim as there was a strong case including a witness against him. He was told to prepare for the worst. The Jew was released on bail, a huge amount of money.
One day his neighbor tells him that the Biale Rebbe is visiting their town. This Jew was not even allowed to leave his home but he decided to send his wife with a note with all the details and beg the Rebbe for a bracha. The Rebbe shlita was deeply touched by the troubles and decided to visit the man in his home to bestow his blessing upon him.
It was late in the evening when the Rebbe arrived at their home. The Rebbe listened carefully to the whole story and heard how the children of the accused were being prepared for the possibility of having their father leave them for a long time. One cannot describe the heartrending sobbing that was heard at the meeting. The Rebbe lifted his eyes and asked them: “Do you believe that Hakadosh Baruch Hu is capable of everything? Do you really believe that everything can change for the good? The Rebbe asked about several issues conducted within the home, gave them guidance on how to strengthen their ruchniyas. He also advised them to accept several new kabbalot upon themselves and then announced: “I have faith that this decree will be annulled. In the merit of the kabbalot you just took upon yourself, Hashem will perform unnatural miracles.”
All those present felt like they were in a dream. It just seemed so unrealistic. Everyone was totally prepared for the worst to happen. Suddenly the lawyer receives a call from the complainant. He sounded embarrassed and was stammering incoherently. It seems that the antisemitic so-called witness was involved in a heavy fight with other inmates and was beaten to death by his fellow prisoners. The sole witness was dead and the case was called off! Our friend received a note from the attorney’s office notifying him that the case was closed due to lack of evidence!
The entire family of the accused were delirious with joy and surprise as they came to thank the Rebbe for his prayers and miracles. All but the Rebbe. He merely said: “Didn’t I tell you that Hashem can perform a miracle?”
The Rebbe, Shlita
Twenty-two years ago, the Rebbe was barely in his early 30s when the yoke of leadership of Biale Chassidus Bnei Brak was thrust upon him. His greatness and guidance reached far beyond the borders of Bnei Brak as the Rebbe chose to draw his brethren from all over the world close to him by encouraging and helping them. The Rebbe is leader and mentor of a most respectable Chassidus which is centrally based in Bnei Brak and has branches in Jerusalem, Beitar Illit, Ashdod, Bet Shemesh and Modi’in Illit. This has added a newold hue to the leadership of Biale Chassidus. Every day hundreds of people from varying backgrounds, Sephardim and Ashkenazim alike. Ultra-Orthodox and those who have just donned a kippah, from Cholon to Bat Yam, Beersheba to Eilat, all stream to one address. The Rebbe opened his door and his heart to the whole of klal Yisrael. Welcoming them with his compassionate heart and warm smile. People enter his room carrying a heavy load of troubles and worries; however, when they leave, they are lighthearted and hopeful.
Biale Chassidus’ holy lineage stems from a holy sage named Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok from Peshischa. This revered tzaddik lived some 200 years ago and was known to all as the “holy Jew”—“The Yid Hakadosh” from Peshischa. He was a disciple of the holy “Chozeh of Lublin,” who was a direct fourth-generation descendent of the holy Baal Shem Tov. The Yid Hakodosh was the greatest of Polish rabbis, rabbi to the leaders of Gur, Kotzk, Alexander and other great luminaries. Generations of tzaddikim in succession continued the tradition of the “Yid Hakodosh.” This chain was continued from father to son until the flame was kindled in our generation by the holy tzaddik and Rebbe—Reb Yechiel Yehoshua from Biale, may his holy memory be blessed. He was the grandfather of our revered Rebbe, a direct descendent of five generations to the Yid Hakodosh.
The Rebbe’s lodging
The Rebbe will be staying in Teaneck from Sunday, March 19-Tuesday, March 22 at the residence of Allan and Miriam Pfeiffer, 400 Warwick Ave.
Beginning on Thursday, March 23, the Rebbe will stay at the residence of Mr. and Dr. Sahba and Faranak Azar, 286 Ogden Ave.
Oneg Shabbat and Tish, Friday Night in Teaneck, March 24
On Shabbat, March 24, Parshat Vayikra, the Rebbe will hold an Oneg Shabbat tish at 9:30 p.m. at the home of Mr. and Dr. Sahba and Faranak Azar, 286 Ogden Ave, Teaneck.
The most special part of the tish is during the famous kiddush which the Rebbe performs. It is well known that the Rebbe’s kiddush is capable of bringing about great miracles. The emotive singing and dancing at the Rebbe’s tishim elevates its participants to a standard of “maeyn oilam habah!” The kiddush will be followed with an abundance of divrei Torah and hashkafa.
If you have not yet had the merit of meeting the Rebbe and would like to book an appointment for a personal consultation, blessing or advice, call the Rebbe’s private secretary (English speaking) at (917) 272-4045 or WhatsApp at (516) 231-0379, or email [email protected]
